10 Essential Tips to Make Thanksgiving & Friendsgiving Unforgettable in Your New Home

updated November 7th, 2024

Hosting Thanksgiving in your new home is exciting, but it can feel a bit overwhelming. The season is all about gathering, showing gratitude, and sharing special moments with loved ones. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving with family or a Friendsgiving with close friends, these ten steps will help you create a warm and memorable holiday experience for everyone. 

1. Plan Your Guest List and Send Invites Early

Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving often bring together family, friends, and even a mix of both. Start by planning your guest list and send out your invites early—about three weeks before the event. Invitations can be digital or printed, depending on your style. Confirming the number of guests early helps you make dining and seating arrangements with ease.

2. Set a Theme for Your Decor

A cohesive theme will add warmth and charm to your space, enhancing the festive feel. Go with classic fall colors like deep reds, oranges, and golds, or opt for a cozy, rustic theme with natural elements like pumpkins, gourds, and eucalyptus. Make your table centerpiece a reflection of the theme, whether it’s an elegant floral arrangement or a collection of candles and seasonal fruits.

3. Organize Your Kitchen & Prep Cooking Stations

Thanksgiving dinners require extra kitchen space and organization. Clear your countertops, set up designated stations for chopping, baking, and assembling, and keep commonly used utensils within easy reach. If possible, borrow an extra cooler to keep drinks cold and free up fridge space for prepared dishes. Planning your kitchen layout ensures you’re stress-free on the big day.

4. Prepare a Make-Ahead Menu

Traditional Thanksgiving menus can be time-intensive, so a mix of make-ahead dishes is essential. Select recipes that can be prepared a day or two in advance, like casseroles, mashed potatoes, pies, and cranberry sauce. Having these staples ready will give you more time to interact with guests and tackle last-minute details without stress.

5. Create a Relaxed Seating and Serving Plan

Arrange seating with comfort and flow in mind. For Thanksgiving, a formal dining setup might work best, but for Friendsgiving, consider casual options like buffet-style serving. Lay out all utensils, dishes, and napkins in a central location where guests can easily access them. Allowing guests to serve themselves creates a more relaxed atmosphere and encourages mingling.

6. Add a Personal Touch to Your Table Settings

Personal touches make guests feel special and welcome. Create place cards with names, or place small, personalized notes of gratitude at each setting. For a Friendsgiving vibe, invite each guest to bring their own dish, then label the dishes with the chef’s name and any fun backstory behind the recipe. These details add to the sense of community and thoughtfulness.

7. Plan Entertainment to Keep the Mood Light

To keep the day festive, plan some light activities for guests, such as a Thanksgiving trivia game, a gratitude-sharing circle, or setting up a board game table. For Friendsgiving, a "Friendsgiving Bingo" game with fun prompts like "First person to try dessert" or "Someone who went back for seconds" can add a fun twist. Have a playlist ready with a mix of holiday classics and feel-good tunes to set the mood.

8. Don’t Forget to Decorate Entryways & Common Areas

The first impression starts at the entryway, so set a festive tone by decorating your front porch with seasonal wreaths, pumpkins, and lights. Extend the decor to your living room or any space where guests will gather. Cozy up these areas with throw blankets, cushions, and subtle fall scents from candles or diffusers to make the home feel warm and inviting.

9. Arrange a Drink Station or Signature Cocktail

Having a dedicated drink station, whether it’s cider, cocktails, or mocktails, adds an interactive element that guests will enjoy. For Thanksgiving, consider a warm cider bar with cinnamon sticks and orange slices. Friendsgiving gatherings can be a bit more experimental—think signature cocktails named after funny moments in your group or a seasonal punch that everyone can enjoy.

10. Take Time to Enjoy the Moments and Make Memories

Hosting a holiday event can be hectic, but remember that the purpose of Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving is to share gratitude and build memories. Try to step away from the kitchen for a few moments, sit down with your guests, and savor the food, laughter, and stories. Snap a few photos, start a group memory jar, or ask guests to write down things they’re grateful for to add a lasting, meaningful touch to the day.